The coastal areas of Martha’s Vineyard have been alive with tree swallows in recent days and weeks — thousands of them, chattering in the treetops, swooping and diving across open fields, especially at day’s end.

Set against the golden late-day light and a vast blue sky, they are a stunning sight with their aerial acrobatics as they snatch bugs from the air.

Birding experts tell us these flocks of tree swallows are a regular fall occurrence, and that the graceful birds are on a southward migration to wintering grounds in Florida or Central America.

That such tiny birds can fly so far is a wonder in itself.

But for now we can simply soak up the beauty these handsome aerialists add to a late-day walk outdoors, as autumn gradually descends on the Island.